Pramod Bhagat, Nitesh Assure Badminton Medals
World champion Pramod Bhagat and Paralympic gold medallist Kumar Nitesh assured India of multiple medals by reaching the men’s singles SL3 semifinals at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday. Indian shuttlers continued their impressive run, advancing in several singles and doubles events.
Bhagat, Nitesh Advance to SL3 Semifinals
Bhagat defeated Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara 21-12, 21-10 in the quarterfinals at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. The victory ensured that he would secure a medal at his fifth consecutive Asian Para Games. He will face Korea’s Lee Seunghu in Thursday’s semifinal.
Nitesh defeated compatriot Vikram Kumar 21-8, 21-8 to book his place in the last four, where he will meet Indonesia’s Al Muh Imran. If both Indians win their respective semifinals, they will contest an all-Indian final in the SL3 category, which is for players with lower-limb impairments affecting walking or running balance.
Mixed Doubles and Singles Players Secure Medals
Bhagat and Manisha Ramdass advanced to the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 semifinals after defeating Thailand’s Siripong Teamarrom and Chanida Srinavakul 21-15, 21-14. Nitesh and Thulasimathi Murugesan also assured themselves of a medal after receiving a bye into the semifinals.
Krishna Nagar and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan reached the SH6 semifinals, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Wu Yu-yen and Lin Jia-siang 21-15, 21-10 to finish second in Group A.
In women’s singles SL3, Sanjana Kumari defeated China’s Liu Yuemei 21-19, 21-12 to advance to the semifinals. However, Nagar suffered a setback in men’s singles SH6, losing to Thailand’s Meechai Natthapong 21-15, 19-21, 21-17.
Suhas LY, Sakhuja Progress in Singles
In men’s singles SL4, Abhijeet Sakhuja defeated China’s Chen Pengfei 21-8, 21-12 to reach the quarterfinals, where he will face compatriot Surya Kant Yadav.
Defending champion Suhas LY also advanced after beating Thailand’s Teamarrom Siripong 21-5, 21-7. The two-time Paralympic silver medallist will next face Korea’s Cho Nadan.
Hardik Makkar progressed to the men’s singles SU5 quarterfinals after defeating Indonesia’s Nugroho Suryo 21-18, 21-12.
